Lady Antebellum Wanted ‘Golden’ to Be an Album for the Ages

The members of Lady Antebellum said they were satisfied with their third album, 'Own the Night.' But looking back, the trio's producer called it an artistic disappointment. That feeling provided more than enough motivation and focus to make sure their latest effort, 'Golden,' was something they could live with forever.

In an interview with the Tennessean, Paul Worley says he and the band weren't completely happy with the follow-up to 'Need You Now.' It was a slip after their first two.

“It wasn’t bad. We’re not ashamed," he says. "But we were caught up in the melee of the rising stardom and life just blew up. Coming back from that and feeling artistic disappointment, we just decided we weren’t going to settle for that.”

The group took 10 dedicated months to concentrate on 'Golden,' which was released May 7. They made significant structural changes, including scrapping heavy strings and guitar overdubs in favor or a more organic, lighter arrangement. Bandmember Charles Kelley said they needed to refocus on the music, because that is what ultimately dictates their career.

“If the music isn’t there, people will become uninterested," Kelley explains. "Then it was like, ‘OK, guys, let’s calm ourselves down and try to make music that will be here in 20 years.’”

Fans and critics have enjoyed the change, praising Hillary Scott's vocals especially. The album has already produced a No. 1 hit in 'Downtown,' with 'Goodbye Town' in the Top 20.

Following a final summer performance at the 2013 Taste of Country Music Festival, Lady Antebellum are officially on break while Hillary Scott awaits the arrival of her first child in July.